Policy Press

Socially Distanced Activism

Voices of Lived Experience of Poverty During COVID-19

By Katy Goldstraw, Tracey Herrington, Thomas Croft, Darren Murrinas, Nicola Gratton and Diana Skelton

Published

Jun 21, 2021

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1447361572

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jun 21, 2021

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1447361572

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Socially Distanced Activism

How would your experience of the COVID-19 pandemic have been different if you had no access to the internet?

The APLE Collective - a group seeking to eradicate poverty – rooted their pandemic activism in expertise held by those with lived experience of poverty. This resulted in the decision to campaign against the exclusively digital response to the crisis and the alienation of people in poverty.

Drawing on case studies from Thrive Teeside, ATD Fourth World and Expert Citizens (APLE Collective organisations), this book interrogates the term ‘lived experience’. It critically investigates how knowledge gained from lived experiences of poverty is integral to developing effective COVID-19 policy responses.

Katy Goldstraw is the APLE Collective Administrator and Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at Staffordshire University.

Tracey Herrington is Project Manager for Thrive Teeside.

Thomas Croft is part of the National Coordination Team for ATD Fourth World.

Darren Murrinas is Chief Executive at Expert Citizens CIC.

Nicola Gratton is Lead for Civic Engagement and Evaluation in the Department of Research, Innovation and Impact Services at Staffordshire University.

Diana Skelton is part of the National Coordination Team for ATD Fourth World.

Introduction: Our Voice Means Something

1. “Why aren’t we heard with our voices?” APLE Collective’s lived experience of poverty

2. APLE Collective and pandemic activism

3. Thriving women

4. ATD Fourth World: Overcoming Epistemic Injustice Globally

5. Expert Citizens: Finding a place in a disconnected world: Expert Citizens and Keep Talking

6. Conclusion: power, voice and change